Dick Van Dyke

Van Dyke's early TV appearances with Phil Silvers and his breakout Broadway turn in the musical "Bye Bye Birdie" led to his classic sitcom, "The Dick Van Dyke Show." It won 15 Emmys during its 1961-1966 run - and yes, he didn't always trip over the ottoman.

Credit: CBS

Veteran actor Dick Van Dyke attends a screening of the musical "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang" at the Pacific Theaters at The Grove, October 30, 2010 in Los Angeles. The children's favorite, recently re-released on DVD, is one of many high points in the entertainer's long career.

Credit: Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images

Dick Van Dyke dances with Janet Leigh in the film version of "Bye Bye Birdie" (1963).

The chimpanzee appearing with Van Dyke in the Walt Disney comedy "Lt. Robin Crusoe" was noted for taking his costar's coffee and cigarettes.

Credit: Disney

The 1971 satire "Cold Turkey," directed by Norman Lear, starred Dick Van Dyke as a minister leading a small Midwestern town to succeed in its bid to go one month without smoking, in order to receive a windfall from a tobacco company.

Credit: United Artists

When a bee sting on his chin prevents a banker from shaving, the resulting beard leads to a counter-cultural awakening in "Some Kind of a Nut" (1969).

Credit: United Artists

Dick Van Dyke uses a marker to correct the spelling of his name, separating "Vandyke" into two words, on his star during the Hollywood Walk of Fame ceremony honoring the comedian, Thursday, Feb. 25, 1993, Los Angeles, Calif. A corrected star was later installed.

Credit: AP Photo/Douglas C. Pizac

Actress Mary Tyler Moore straightens actor Dick Van Dyke's tie, at the TV Land Awards at the Hollywood Palladium on March 2, 2003.

Dick Van Dyke and songwriter Charles Strouse are seen on stage at "A Night At Sardi's presents 'Bye Bye Birdie,'" benefiting the Alzheimer's Association, at the Beverly Hilton Hotel, March 5, 2008.

Credit: Frazer Harrison/Getty Images

Dick Van Dyke on stage at the Academy Of Television Arts & Sciences' "Father's Day Salute to TV Dads," June 18, 2009 in North Hollywood, Calif.

Credit: Frazer Harrison/Getty Images

President Barack Obama speaks alongside, from left to right: musician Renee Fleming, actor Dick Van Dyke, anchor Robin Roberts and singer Lionel Richie, during the taping of "America Celebrates July 4th at Ford's Theatre," in Washington, D.C., June 6, 2010.

Credit: Saul Loeb/AFP/Getty Images

Dick Van Dyke performs on stage at the 21st A Time For Heroes Celebrity Picnic, sponsored by Disney to benefit the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric Aids Foundation, at Wadsworth Great Lawn in Los Angeles, June 13, 2010.